what would you do?

[Hebs]

Would you consider out ou hours childminding? (care in the children's home)

i don't see the point of minding them in their own home as i'd have to take my kids with me as i'm also a single mum, and i'd rather be in my own home with my own things than sitting in someone elses home worrying about what my kids were up to

[mushpea]

if i did it i would charge normal rate between 7.30pm and 6.30pm then £5 per hour after that, it might be worth finding out what local baby sitters would charge so you don't get out done by them.
as for keeping the space open on the other days, you arent actualy keeping any space open as they are over 8 so dont count in your numbers so if anyone else wanted the space you could have their children and other children so not sure what i would do there.

[devoncm]

I wouldnt charge anything to keep space open as they are both over 8, id consider it as only couple of nights, id probably see about babysitting in their house but then i have others in my house to have my little ones.

if you feel its right for you then do it.

if paying by tax credits id probably charge 5 an hr for each child after normal hrs

[oakie dokie]

wouldnt work for me , im in bed at 9pm

[singlewiththree]

Just need to work out fees, not going to offer discount for siblings

She is a single mum and will get help from tax credits so offering a discount will only bebefit the government

It would also benefit the mum as she has to pay 20% and if she gets a discount that would help her too.

[Hebs]

as for keeping the space open on the other days, you arent actualy keeping any space open as they are over 8 so dont count in your numbers

i'm going to be reg for 4 over 8's so they will be taking spaces

[tammerisk]

i weould charge for the whole week as this is what she need you to be avalible for and i would charge extra for before 8 and after 6

so for me that would be 200 a week for the two and i charge £5 an hour for before 8 and after 6 so add £20 for each day you work after 6 and extra £5 for each day you work before 8.

if this is what they want they will pay you are a buisiness and it is your time anyone else would expect to be paided extra to work unsocialble hours.

[Schnakes]

I would only do it if I could do it at the childrens house. It would be far too disruptive for me to have them here. Plus my two go to bed at 8pm and have quite a lengthy bedtime routine so it wouldnt be fair on the other kids to have to wait around for an hour while I was doing that.

You have said that you cant do that though!!

Fees wise - I charge extra before 8am and after 6pm.

Sx

[jibberjitz]

Hi,

I would probably consider it is it was only for a max of 2 lates per week as it would be the evening hours I would have the most trouble with. It would depend on the boys too but like you said, they are no trouble then that makes a huge difference. From the parents point of view it would obviously be a huge benefit to find a childminder so flexible and you could charge more for evenings etc,

Let us know what you decide

Liz

[Chatterbox Childcare]

A lot of answers but people wouldn't do it. Therefore you have to consider why?

If I were to do it I would want to be paid and paid well for the inconvenient times.

The prices would be 7-9am £7.50 per child (including breakfast)
After school £12.00 to 6pm and £5.00 per hour each thereafter, plus food if required

Term time as above before 9am and after 6pm plus an hourly rate for hours used in between of £3.50 each plus food costs.

I would not discount due to siblings just for the inconvenience factor.

Hope that helps

[mandy moo]

I work till 7.30 2 nights a week, every 3 weeks, so itsnot even weekley.
The child is almost five and has just started reception class. She almost fell asleep last night in the arm chair last night.
Mum and dad would rather she didnt, so she sleeps at night, but I cant help feeling rather sorry for the little mite.

[balloon]

I haven't read all the replies so forgive me if I'm rehashing something that has already been said...

I work very similar shifts for a mum who also works as a care worker. The LO goes to bed in my travel cot at 6pm and mum wakes her to take her home at 9.30. There has never been a problem as it's all the LO knows here.

For me the early mornings are much worse, having to get up at 6 to start at 7 is sometimes no joke, especially if she'd had a late shift the night before.

Charges: Because the shifts are never the same two weeks running I worked out the cost of 2 lates and 2 earlies a week to include my unsocial hours charge for before 8 and after 6 (which is almost double charge), then divided that by the number of hours average to form an overall hourly rate. It is a pain that I have to work out fees every week and I often end up rushing around trying to do it on a sunday. I'm not sure that makes sense so if you want more details feel free to PM me.

TBH it isn't ideal but if you're willing to do the hours then go for it - I'd have a long settling in period though to make sure you can cope once the initial newness of it all wears off, lol!

[Hebs]

thanks for the advice

[~*Sarah*~]

I would consider it.

I already work late til 9pm 1 day a week

[The Juggler]

I would be tempted to say that her job would need to fix her shifts. I work for a nurse and she has told them that she can't afford to pay me 5 days and she only needs me for 4, so she fixes the days she works for them. Under legislation for working parents, they should be able to consider at least the days she works if not the shifts.

I know another nurse friend who I don't work for who also has this arrangement. I'm sure the other shift workers in the home would rather know they days they are working too.

Anyway, if this is not workable I would:

charge an increased fee before 0800 and after 1800

a retainer fee for the other two days (for the daytime hours you would normally work or the fee you might lose from another potential parent)

a core weekly fee adjusted the following month depending on the hours actually worked (rather than payment in arrears)

Good luck! You're a better woman than me if you can work until 10 and be up at 7!

Nx

[Hebs]

You're a better woman than me if you can work until 10 and be up at 7!

My son is never asleep before 11pm (unless he's medicated) and is usually up by 6am latest

so these hours don't bother me really

[The Juggler]

My son is never asleep before 11pm (unless he's medicated) and is usually up by 6am latest

so these hours don't bother me really

Good luck, whatever you decide. If you can do the hours, just make it sure it's financially worthwhile for the inconvenience factor.

Nx

[jibberjitz]

It looks like you've talked yourself into it At least its only 2 evenings a week and the boys are easy

Liz

[Hebs]

don't think i could have done it if they were very little

at this rate it's never going to happen cos i'm still waiting for my certificate

[Chrissy B]

I hope it arrives shortly for you, and that it all works out with the odd shifts. Good luck.